Press digest – May 28

PM receives US Senator

PM Nguyen Tan Dung on May 28 in Ha Noi hosted a reception for US Senator Benjamin Cardin, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs who is on a working visit to Viet Nam.

The Government leader took the occasion to thank the US for voicing opposition against the illegal action of China to place Haiyang Shiyou – 981 drilling rig in Viet Nam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. He also hoped that the US would continue to make stronger voice to condemn China’s actions which are contradictory to international laws.

In addition, PM Dung also proposed the US provide more support for Viet Nam's efforts to address unexploded ordnance (UXO) consequences and clean up Agent Orange (AO) contamination.

For his part, Senator Benjamin Cardin said the US hopes to promote the comprehensive ties with Viet Nam for mutual development.

He also expressed his deep concern over the provocative actions of China which extremely violate international laws, the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), destabilize the situation and directly threaten peace, stability, security, and freedom of navigation in the East Sea. The Senator also recommended peaceful solutions to the disputes on the basis of international laws.

PM chairs National Committee for Education Reform

The Government has established the National Committee for Education and Training Reform led by PM Nguyen Tan Dung.

The two Vice Chairmen of the Committee are Head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Propagation and Education Dinh The Huynh and Deputy PM Vu Duc Dam.

The Committee is responsible for assisting the PM in addressing important issues which emerged during the process of comprehensive and basic reform of education and training in accordance with Resolution 29-NQ/TW, adopted at the 8th Plenum of the 11th Party Central Committee.

Trade surplus touches US$ 1.6 bln

Viet Nam ran a trade surplus of US$ 1.6 billion in the first five months of 2014, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).

The GSO reported that in the January-May period, the FDI sector continued to enjoy a high trade surplus of US$ 6.9 billion. Meanwhile, the domestic sector suffered from a trade gap of US$ 5.3 billion.  

In the reviewed period, export turnover was estimated at US$ 58.5 billion, up 15.4% against 2013, of which US$ 19 billion were contributed by the domestic sector (up 11.9%) and US$ 39.5 billion by the FDI sector (up 17.1%).

VN vows to boost fight against wild species smuggling

Viet Nam is willing to carry out urgent measures at the national, regional and international levels to fight cross-border smuggling of endangered plants and animals.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Vu Van Tam made the comment at a May 27 ceremony marking 20 years since Vietnam joined the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

The trafficking of wild species has become a common problem of all nations over the world, Tam said, adding that Viet Nam will strictly enforce international commitments to which it is a member.

CITES Secretary General John E. Scanlon expressed his hope that with its experience, Viet Nam will continue doing its utmost to fight this kind of crime.

Viet Nam, UK diplomats talk ties over phone

Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and UK Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Hugo Swire discussed over the phone measures to promote the two countries’ strategic partnership on May 28.

They particularly paid attention to the priority fields of politics-diplomacy, economics-trade-investment, and education and training.

The officials shared the view that the bilateral strategic partnership has come a long way over the past time, and agreed that the fourth Viet Nam – UK strategic dialogue will be held in Ha Noi this year.

Industrial production index rises 5.9% in May

Viet Nam’s industrial production index (IPI) in May increased by 5.9% against the same period last year, the Government news portal reported, citing figures released by the General Statistics Office (GSO).

In the January-May period, industrial output saw a year-on-year increase of 5.6%.

The processing and manufacturing sector reported year-on-year growth of 7.5%, contributing 5.3% of the general growth. The production and distribution of the electricity sector jumped by 10.6%, while the water supply, sewage and waste management sector rose by 6.1%.

Viet Nam receives 3.75 mln foreign arrivals in five months

The nation welcomed 3.75 million foreign arrivals in the first five months of this year, demonstrating a year-on-year increase of 26.07%.

Viet Nam sets a target of attracting 8 million foreign arrivals by the end of 2014. It currently reaches 46.85% of the yearly plan. 

In May alone, 674,200 foreign arrivals came to VietNam, down 9.62% from April, however, in comparison with last year’s same period, the figure rose by 20.66%.

VN to export dragon fruit to New Zealand

Viet Nam and New Zealand on May 28 signed an official assurance programme for the export of dragon fruit from Viet Nam, making it the first and only country approved to sell the fruit in New Zealand.

The program will set out procedures and activities used prior to export to ensure the quality of the fruit.

New photo exhibition highlights Viet Nam’s marine sovereignty

A number of new photos featuring efforts by Vietnamese coast guards and fishery surveillance forces to protect the nation’s sea and island sovereignty following China’s illegal placement of its oil rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 in Vietnamese waters are on display at an exhibition in Hanoi.

Some of the 112 images on show depict a fleet of Chinese vessels attacking Vietnamese coast guard and fishery surveillance ships.

They also help confirm Viet Nam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos, as well as over its territorial waters and continental shelf./.

(Source: VOV/VGP/VNA/Nhan dan)